And so, friends, it seems that another year has come and gone, and once again we find ourselves here, contemplating another batch of musical chestnuts roasting on an open fire. If you had told me back in 1996 that Christmas in December would be an enterprise spanning three decades and encompassing 350 songs, I would have been confused and terrified -- not by the scope of the project, but by your eldritch powers of divination. (It also would have been nice if you had warned me about "Billy's Christmas Wish.") However you found yourself here -- whether you received a Christmas in December 2013 CD, followed a random Web link, or grievously misspelled something in your browser bar -- I hope you and yours are well and happy, and I trust you will find something here that makes your days at least somewhat merry and bright. Drop a comment in the box, and remember to jingle all (or at least most of) the way.
1. Getting Down for Xmas -- Milly & Silly
From the 2009 collection "In the Christmas Groove," which is rapidly becoming indispensable around Christmas in December world headquarters. Nobody on the Internet seems to know much about Milly & Silly. If you happen to be Milly or Silly... how've you been? You got screwed by your record company back in the '70s, didn't you? Yeah, I had a feeling.
1. Getting Down for Xmas -- Milly & Silly
From the 2009 collection "In the Christmas Groove," which is rapidly becoming indispensable around Christmas in December world headquarters. Nobody on the Internet seems to know much about Milly & Silly. If you happen to be Milly or Silly... how've you been? You got screwed by your record company back in the '70s, didn't you? Yeah, I had a feeling.
2. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town -- Bjorn Again
I'm a little disappointed to learn from Wikipedia that Bjorn Again is a "parody" of Swedish supergroup ABBA. I kind of feel like they should be treating their source material with more reverence. This, of course, is an homage to "Waterloo," which features the lyrics "The history book on the shelf/Is always repeating itself." Okay, maybe reverence is a bit much to expect here. But can we all agree that Bjorn's guitar in the above video is a triumph of the luthier's art?
I'm a little disappointed to learn from Wikipedia that Bjorn Again is a "parody" of Swedish supergroup ABBA. I kind of feel like they should be treating their source material with more reverence. This, of course, is an homage to "Waterloo," which features the lyrics "The history book on the shelf/Is always repeating itself." Okay, maybe reverence is a bit much to expect here. But can we all agree that Bjorn's guitar in the above video is a triumph of the luthier's art?
3. Children Go Where I Send Thee -- Nick Lowe
I'm a Nick Lowe fan from way back, so this is one of my favorite songs in this year's collection. I love how he doesn't feel the need to sing all twelve verses. It's Nick Lowe, man; ain't nobody gonna tell him how to sing no cumulative song.
I'm a Nick Lowe fan from way back, so this is one of my favorite songs in this year's collection. I love how he doesn't feel the need to sing all twelve verses. It's Nick Lowe, man; ain't nobody gonna tell him how to sing no cumulative song.
4. Jingle Bells -- The Ventures
I know I've used a lot of songs from the Ventures over the years, and each year I tell myself I'm going to give them a rest, but I can't help myself. It's just so great. One year I'm just going to use this whole album as the compilation, and that will probably be the best Christmas in December ever.
I know I've used a lot of songs from the Ventures over the years, and each year I tell myself I'm going to give them a rest, but I can't help myself. It's just so great. One year I'm just going to use this whole album as the compilation, and that will probably be the best Christmas in December ever.
5. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree -- Marlowe Morris
Ah, the Hammond organ. Marlowe Morris is the latest in a series of notable Hammond players featured on Christmas in December, including the Jimmys Smith and McGriff, Rhoda Scott and Booker T. Jones. This track apparently first appeared on "Jingle Bell Jazz," a 1962 compilation of Columbia artists, but it does not appear on the CD called "Jingle Bell Jazz" -- a Columbia product that has some songs from the original, as well as a far less imaginative cover (not that the original was all that mind-blowing) -- which now sits on my shelf. I don't know, it gets confusing around here sometimes.
Ah, the Hammond organ. Marlowe Morris is the latest in a series of notable Hammond players featured on Christmas in December, including the Jimmys Smith and McGriff, Rhoda Scott and Booker T. Jones. This track apparently first appeared on "Jingle Bell Jazz," a 1962 compilation of Columbia artists, but it does not appear on the CD called "Jingle Bell Jazz" -- a Columbia product that has some songs from the original, as well as a far less imaginative cover (not that the original was all that mind-blowing) -- which now sits on my shelf. I don't know, it gets confusing around here sometimes.
6. Christmas A Come -- The Jolly Boys
We learn from Wikipedia that The Jolly Boys have been around since 1945, playing a style of Jamaican folk music known as Mento. Those of you who served with me behind the board at Furman University's WPLS-FM will surely remember their 1989 album "Pop 'n' Mento," which included the song "Mother and Wife," and are singing along in your heads now: "If your mother and your wife were drowning/I want to know which one you would be saving." The song concludes: "You can always get another wife."
We learn from Wikipedia that The Jolly Boys have been around since 1945, playing a style of Jamaican folk music known as Mento. Those of you who served with me behind the board at Furman University's WPLS-FM will surely remember their 1989 album "Pop 'n' Mento," which included the song "Mother and Wife," and are singing along in your heads now: "If your mother and your wife were drowning/I want to know which one you would be saving." The song concludes: "You can always get another wife."
7. The Little Drummer Boy -- The Soulful Strings
Every year, I come to appreciate this album a little more. It's getting to be right up there for me with the Ventures' and Phil Spector's Christmas albums. I don't know if there's ever been a CD issue, but it appears to be available on iTunes now, so you should go get it.
Every year, I come to appreciate this album a little more. It's getting to be right up there for me with the Ventures' and Phil Spector's Christmas albums. I don't know if there's ever been a CD issue, but it appears to be available on iTunes now, so you should go get it.
8. Frosty the Snowman -- A.B. Green
Everybody's favorite snow golem once again celebrated in song. This is from a Savoy Records compilation, but I can't for the life of me find any information on who A.B. Green is. Is he the singer of this tune? The organist? Both?
Everybody's favorite snow golem once again celebrated in song. This is from a Savoy Records compilation, but I can't for the life of me find any information on who A.B. Green is. Is he the singer of this tune? The organist? Both?
9. Santa, How Come Your Eyes Are Green When Last Year They Were Blue? -- Louis Prima
An entry in the Child's Treasury of Santa Skepticism, delivered up hot-n-sassy by The Wildest himself, Louis Prima, in a single issued by, of all things, the Walt Disney Corporation. The record came out in 1966, a year before Prima played King Louie in Disney's "The Jungle Book." Neither Keely Smith nor Sam Butera are in evidence on this track. The flip side of this record is "Senor Santa Claus," which is about what you'd expect; you can probably tell all you need to know about it just from the first line: "Senor Santa Claus/My name ees Panchito/I'm writing for my seester/She name is Conchita." Okay, not much more culturally sensitive than "Donde Esta Santa Claus," but at least Augie Rios was actually Latino. Maybe. I think.
An entry in the Child's Treasury of Santa Skepticism, delivered up hot-n-sassy by The Wildest himself, Louis Prima, in a single issued by, of all things, the Walt Disney Corporation. The record came out in 1966, a year before Prima played King Louie in Disney's "The Jungle Book." Neither Keely Smith nor Sam Butera are in evidence on this track. The flip side of this record is "Senor Santa Claus," which is about what you'd expect; you can probably tell all you need to know about it just from the first line: "Senor Santa Claus/My name ees Panchito/I'm writing for my seester/She name is Conchita." Okay, not much more culturally sensitive than "Donde Esta Santa Claus," but at least Augie Rios was actually Latino. Maybe. I think.
10. Santa Claus -- The Sonics
Even though this came out the same year as the Louis Prima song above, I like to think that the narrator of "Santa, How Come..." grew up, honed his Santa Skepticism, moved to Washington state and formed a garage band. Astute listeners will remember this song from Christmas in December 2005, but that was from a bad rip that cut off part of the intro.
Even though this came out the same year as the Louis Prima song above, I like to think that the narrator of "Santa, How Come..." grew up, honed his Santa Skepticism, moved to Washington state and formed a garage band. Astute listeners will remember this song from Christmas in December 2005, but that was from a bad rip that cut off part of the intro.
11. Jingle Bells (Robbie Hardkiss Remix) -- Duke Ellington
I was a little bit on the fence about including this one, fearing that a remix may be irreverent and disrespectful to the original artistic vision of Duke Ellington, until I realized the perfectly obvious fact that Duke didn't write this song in the first place, and that all involved are pretty much feasting on the bones of James Lord Pierpont. Here's the original -- I think; it's the only Duke Ellington version of "Jingle Bells" I can find online.
I was a little bit on the fence about including this one, fearing that a remix may be irreverent and disrespectful to the original artistic vision of Duke Ellington, until I realized the perfectly obvious fact that Duke didn't write this song in the first place, and that all involved are pretty much feasting on the bones of James Lord Pierpont. Here's the original -- I think; it's the only Duke Ellington version of "Jingle Bells" I can find online.
12. Deck the Halls -- The Mexicali Brass
I was a little disappointed in the Herb Alpert Christmas Album -- to me, it didn't sound enough like Herb Alpert, if that makes any sense. Since then, I've found a few other proponents of the Tijuana Brass sound (Alan Moorehouse and George Garabedian, to name two) who in some cases out-Alpert Alpert.
I was a little disappointed in the Herb Alpert Christmas Album -- to me, it didn't sound enough like Herb Alpert, if that makes any sense. Since then, I've found a few other proponents of the Tijuana Brass sound (Alan Moorehouse and George Garabedian, to name two) who in some cases out-Alpert Alpert.
13. Maybe Next Christmas -- George Jones
It seems that almost every recent Christmas in December has one song by a country artist who died within that year. We'll call that the Kitty Wells Memorial Chair. This year, sadly, it's the Possum's turn. I'm not sure when this single came out, but it sounds like it was pretty early on in his career; maybe the '50s.
It seems that almost every recent Christmas in December has one song by a country artist who died within that year. We'll call that the Kitty Wells Memorial Chair. This year, sadly, it's the Possum's turn. I'm not sure when this single came out, but it sounds like it was pretty early on in his career; maybe the '50s.
14. A Rootin’ Tootin’ Santa Claus -- Tennessee Ernie Ford
A version of this song by Pee Wee King appeared on Christmas in December 2003. I'm kind of surprised it took me so long to find this one, being as how I'm such a fan of ol' Ernie's rich baritone and pencil-thin mustache.
A version of this song by Pee Wee King appeared on Christmas in December 2003. I'm kind of surprised it took me so long to find this one, being as how I'm such a fan of ol' Ernie's rich baritone and pencil-thin mustache.
15. Fifty Kilowatt Tree -- The Bobs
So being huge nerds as well as amateur home renovators, my wife and I naturally wondered whether fifty kilowatts was indeed a large electricity load for an average Christmas tree to draw, or if the Bobs just chose that title because it scanned well. Turns out that a string of 100 incandescent lights uses about 40 watts, so a 50-kilowatt tree would use the equivalent of about 1,250 strings of lights. So, yes, a 50-kilowatt tree would in fact be extremely bright. Thanks, science!
So being huge nerds as well as amateur home renovators, my wife and I naturally wondered whether fifty kilowatts was indeed a large electricity load for an average Christmas tree to draw, or if the Bobs just chose that title because it scanned well. Turns out that a string of 100 incandescent lights uses about 40 watts, so a 50-kilowatt tree would use the equivalent of about 1,250 strings of lights. So, yes, a 50-kilowatt tree would in fact be extremely bright. Thanks, science!
16. Sleigh Bell Rock -- Three Aces & a Joker
This 1960 single was backed by the equally raucous "Booze Party," which is about as straightforward as it gets as far as rockabilly drinking anthems go. Would it surprise you to know that Rockabilly Hall of Fame members Three Aces & a Joker hailed from Salt Lake City, home of the Latter-Day Saints? It surprised me a little. But I guess it can't all be like I saw on "Big Love."
This 1960 single was backed by the equally raucous "Booze Party," which is about as straightforward as it gets as far as rockabilly drinking anthems go. Would it surprise you to know that Rockabilly Hall of Fame members Three Aces & a Joker hailed from Salt Lake City, home of the Latter-Day Saints? It surprised me a little. But I guess it can't all be like I saw on "Big Love."
17. Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag -- Gary Walker
I'm not 100 percent sure who Gary Walker is, but it seems likely that he's the same Gary Walker who was in the Standells (now best known for "Dirty Water" [go Sox!]). This is obviously an homage to James Brown's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" -- although J.B. himself never actually recorded a song called "Santa's Got a Brand New Bag," Rhino did use that title for a compilation of his Christmas songs. And the Bobs, featured above, recorded a song similar to this, but with different lyrics, in collaboration with comedian Jonathan Katz (see Christmas in December 2001). It's turtles all the way down, people. Anyway, it sounds like Gary ran out of song before the engineers ran out of tape. You can practically see them in the control room, desperately making that "stretch it out" motion with their hands, as the band keeps chugging along until it's time, finally, to fade out.
I'm not 100 percent sure who Gary Walker is, but it seems likely that he's the same Gary Walker who was in the Standells (now best known for "Dirty Water" [go Sox!]). This is obviously an homage to James Brown's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" -- although J.B. himself never actually recorded a song called "Santa's Got a Brand New Bag," Rhino did use that title for a compilation of his Christmas songs. And the Bobs, featured above, recorded a song similar to this, but with different lyrics, in collaboration with comedian Jonathan Katz (see Christmas in December 2001). It's turtles all the way down, people. Anyway, it sounds like Gary ran out of song before the engineers ran out of tape. You can practically see them in the control room, desperately making that "stretch it out" motion with their hands, as the band keeps chugging along until it's time, finally, to fade out.
18. The Christmas Song -- James Brown
The real thing. Alma Hermano Numero Uno. Believe me, if I could get away with just putting "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto" on every CD, I would, but a little J.B. is better than none.
The real thing. Alma Hermano Numero Uno. Believe me, if I could get away with just putting "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto" on every CD, I would, but a little J.B. is better than none.
19. Sleigh Ride -- The Ronettes
Speaking of stuff I wish I could just put on every CD: My fondness for "A Christmas Gift to You From Phil Spector" is a matter of public record. I think I've mentioned in the past that the album first came out on Nov. 22, 1963 -- which makes this year its 50th anniversary. That's also the date JFK got shot. Meanwhile, Lana Clarkson would have been 51 years old this year, had Phil Spector not shot her in 2003.
20. Ding Dong Bell -- The Ethiopians
According to The Guardian, "Jamaicans celebrate a family Christmas, although they take decorations more seriously than most and have been known to paint entire houses. Similarly, Christmas cuisine involves an all-day feast: saltfish and bananas for breakfast, a dinner of curried goat and peas followed by a special fruit cake soaked in wine for months."
21. Christmas Medley -- The Banjo Barons
I set the bar pretty high for banjo-related content last year, but while Travelin' Light was presumably made up of commoners, the Banjo Barons are comprised of actual members of the British peerage. Okay, that's probably not true. Eugene Chadbourne, himself known for some unconventional banjo playing, pretty much takes the Barons to the woodshed in his Allmusic review. So, fair enough, banjo purists, consider yourself warned.
I set the bar pretty high for banjo-related content last year, but while Travelin' Light was presumably made up of commoners, the Banjo Barons are comprised of actual members of the British peerage. Okay, that's probably not true. Eugene Chadbourne, himself known for some unconventional banjo playing, pretty much takes the Barons to the woodshed in his Allmusic review. So, fair enough, banjo purists, consider yourself warned.
22. Winter Wonderland -- Memphis Sounds Orchestra
Y'all, I've been to Memphis. It sounds nothing like this.
Y'all, I've been to Memphis. It sounds nothing like this.
23. Jingle Bells -- Rita Moss
It takes a while to sink in that the main instrument you're hearing on this song is Rita Moss's own voice, with some impressively precise doubling on piano. (She's a multi-instrumentalist, so she could very well be accompanying herself here.) She's also responsible for one of the best album titles I've ever heard: 1966's "Talk to Me, Tiger." A lot of people wouldn't have bothered with that comma before the noun of direct address. Gotta respect that.
It takes a while to sink in that the main instrument you're hearing on this song is Rita Moss's own voice, with some impressively precise doubling on piano. (She's a multi-instrumentalist, so she could very well be accompanying herself here.) She's also responsible for one of the best album titles I've ever heard: 1966's "Talk to Me, Tiger." A lot of people wouldn't have bothered with that comma before the noun of direct address. Gotta respect that.
24. White Christmas -- Jayram Acharya
You wouldn't think "White Christmas" played on sitar would work, but it does. Although it does snow in some of the northern areas of India, people in the rest of the country would perhaps dream of a white Christmas, although it may not be just like the ones they used to know.
You wouldn't think "White Christmas" played on sitar would work, but it does. Although it does snow in some of the northern areas of India, people in the rest of the country would perhaps dream of a white Christmas, although it may not be just like the ones they used to know.
25. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing -- The Peanuts Gang
Lights, please. We watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" this year as I was writing these notes, and it struck me that I didn't even have to look at the TV to know exactly what was going on at any given moment, so great is the level to which that show has written itself into my DNA. And much like this song signals the end of the program, each year it also signals the end of another wintry mix of tunes, which I hope you and yours have enjoyed. For that's what Christmas in December is all about, Charlie Brown.
Special thanks this year to Christmas in December Art Director Josephine Salley McMullen!
Lights, please. We watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" this year as I was writing these notes, and it struck me that I didn't even have to look at the TV to know exactly what was going on at any given moment, so great is the level to which that show has written itself into my DNA. And much like this song signals the end of the program, each year it also signals the end of another wintry mix of tunes, which I hope you and yours have enjoyed. For that's what Christmas in December is all about, Charlie Brown.
Special thanks this year to Christmas in December Art Director Josephine Salley McMullen!
Merci for another excellent compilation! I especially love the Christmas Wordle as CD art!
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